Norovirus strikes 1.1m and cases to soar even higher

MILLIONS are at risk of catching the highly contagious winter vomiting bug in the coming weeks.

New figures revealed norovirus has already struck down 1.1 million people this winter – with 100,000 cases wrecking Christmas for many.

But with 72 per cent more cases than this time last year the Health Protection Agency warned yesterday that a new year spike could be worse than usual.

John Harris, an expert in norovirus from the agency, said: “In line with other norovirus seasons we will expect to see an increase in the number of laboratory reports in the next few weeks.

“Norovirus is very contagious, and anyone who has had it knows it is very unpleasant.”

The vast majority of those affected do not seek medical advice as there is no treatment and symptoms – which include vomiting, diarrhoea, a temperature and stomach cramps – usually resolve themselves. A total of 3,877 confirmed cases of norovirus have now been recorded in England and Wales – up on the 2,255 the year before.

The agency said that for every reported case an estimated 288 were not flagged up, meaning around 1.12 million people could have contracted the illness.

Greater Manchester has among the highest rates of the bug in the country. Tameside, Stockport and Bolton are among the worst-hit areas with rates significantly higher than the national average.

Wards on a number of hospitals have been closed in a bid to stop visitors transmitting the virus to patients.

At Stepping Hill Hospital, run by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, 21 patients and 26 staff members have been recorded with it.

Norovirus is very contagious, and anyone who has had it knows it is very unpleasant

John Harris

A spokeswoman for Tameside Hospital confirmed “a small number” of patients there had contracted norovirus but said all wards had remained open.

Cases shot up earlier than expected this winter across Europe but experts have been unable to determine why this is the case or predict whether numbers will continue to rise at the same rate.

Although people can suffer from norovirus at any time of the year, activity increases in the winter months, with most cases recorded between January and March.

A Department of Health spokesman said: “The NHS is well prepared for the winter. No ­­­ A&Es have had to close so far this winter and we are providing additional funding to the NHS to help it cope with the added pressure that the winter brings.

“Flu and norovirus are typical at this time of year – that’s why we are running the ‘Catch It. Bin It. Kill It’ campaign.

“The number of beds closed due to norovirus symptoms is around 2.4 per cent. This compares to 2.9 per cent during the peak last winter.”